With great dismay I read today of the death of Sheldon Brown, a cycling icon whose humor, encyclopedic knowledge and grace pervaded every bit of his website. He was as much an influence of my decision to cycle across Japan, ride brakeless, and roll steel over aluminum as anyone I’ve [never] met. I only wish I could have paid a visit to Boston to correct that.

One feeling that was absolutely reinforced with blazing clarity by traveling was how much I actually love living in San Francisco. Here are my friends, topography, water and within 5 hours of [nearly] every climate. I’ve tried to take advantage of that in the three days I’ve been back, enjoying the Pacific coast via motorcycle as well as the Sierra Nevada via snowboard—with a dozen friends. Moments include excellent baggage claim, eating turns and Hoth stormtrooper action in Kirkwood.

Er, now that Edwards is gone, and the Republican race is less murky, the frontrunners are playing nice—aiming their respective barbs at the GOP instead of each other. But really, what this campaign season needs is more Prop Joe.

Edit: The Wikipedia entry for Proposition Joe has a spoiler in the first paragraph. Lame. Lame. Lame.